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best idea to employ.
    “But you know,” said Stu, “Michael will never forgive you if we do this behind his back.”
    “Yes, he will,” said Jonathan, hesitating. “Or, he will if it works.”
    Stu shrugged. “He’s your brother. I’ll need a couple hours to prepare.”
    “What do you want me to do in the meantime?” asked Jonathan.
    “Just go home. I’ll find you.” Stu had a wicked grin on his face.
    “You know you have to be normal, right?” Jonathan looked worried.
    “Don’t sweat it bro. I’ve got it covered,” said Stu.
    Jonathan put his face in his hands but went ahead and left. The screen door screeched behind him.
    Stu began to prepare. He had never done anything of this scope before, but he puffed up his chest. Yep. It promised to be a fun week.
    ***
    The next morning, Lu, Trina, and Zac agreed they hadn’t been able to key in on Mira, wherever she went in her dream, but they perceived sadness.
    “Some part of her knows,” said Trina, cracking her stiff neck from rough sleep on the leather chair. “Comfy to sit in, not so much for all night,” she mumbled to no one.
    “Yeah, but we can’t worry about Paul now. Too much else to do,” said Zac, rolling up off the floor. Lu had been given the couch.
    At that moment, Michael and Onie showed up, looking every bit of twelve and sixteen, respectively.
    “Jonathan’s not here yet?” asked Michael.
    Zac shrugged. “Not yet. What time are we meeting Mira?” He looked at his watch.
    “Now,” Michael answered. “Jonathan can catch up. He knows where we’re meeting her.”
    The group set off without Jonathan. Mira was already there waiting, on top of a hay bale again. She started to hop off, but Michael was there to help her down. She easily swooped down this time with the aid of his arm.
    “Mira,” said Michael. “This is my cousin, Zac, my cousin Lu, and my friends, Onie and Trina.”
    Zac stepped forward and gave a bow. Trina nodded.
    Awkwardly, Onie shook Mira’s hand. They had all known Mira for more than twenty years. Introductions were exceedingly odd.
    “So,” said Michael, noting Mira’s flushed face, “did you think of the first new thing to show or teach us?”
    “Yeah,” said Onie, “you have a group of explorers in front of you.” Onie pawed the ground with her shoe.
    However, before Mira could answer, two figures could be seen coming over the hill. Michael squinted. He could see one was Jonathan. Who was the other one? If he brought Stu , I’m going to kill my brother.
    But no, as they came close, the group could see Jonathan was walking with a small kid next to him. At least he looked small next to Jonathan. The kid was short, had red hair and freckles, and didn’t look like any of the rest of the family.
    What the— Michael refrained from showing surprise on his face. Shit, leave it to Jonathan to make us all have to improvise. And why? What was this all about? Michael guessed he would be introduced as a friend, but he was so young. How was Jonathan going to explain hanging out with someone half his age? Geez , he thought again, leave it to Jonathan… At this point all he could think about was wanting his wife and life back. He knew the strain was having its way with his thoughts. He missed the way Mira threw her arms around his neck to kiss him. No, he had to hold it together. Mira’s life and maybe Brandon’s depended on it.
    Jonathan ambled up. “Hi all! Hey Mira. I don’t know if Michael mentioned me, I’m his older brother, Jonathan. We just moved in up the road.”
    Well at least he sounds natural .
    “He did. Nice to meet you. I’m Mira,” she said with a big smile.
    Michael missed that smile and wished he were home. With her. With the kids. With his adult life back. He had to admit, it was weird being twelve after all this time. My God, he was the same age as his youngest daughter! He reminded himself to cut her some slack the next time she acted out. These preteen emotions were the